How can my park get money for upgrades?
There are three ways that funding for parks owned and operated by the City of Cleveland can get money for improvements:
Annual capital projects funding. Every year, Cleveland uses bonds based on a 3-year (2023-2025) improvement plan to fund capital projects (read it here). Usually, the city fixes the worst parks first, based on a 2022 park quality assessment. Soon, they'll be using a new method that takes into account which neighborhoods have been historically left out of city improvements.
Curious what the General Obligation Bonds are? Check out a ‘Bonds 101’ infographic at the bottom of this page
City Council Member requests. Ask your City Council Member to use their funds to make improvements to your local park. Sometimes, they have extra funds and can make upgrades outside the city's capital project plan described above.
Starting a project with your community. The city currently allows community-led projects with a non-legally binding agreement between residents and the city, usually a license agreement outlining the changes allowed. The City of Cleveland is currently working on a new, simpler process for resident requests to make upgrades in their park, so stay tuned!
Neighborhood Connections offers small grants to help you get started, click here.
If you want to connect with residents who have gone this route before, email us.
Additional Resources:
Updated list of active and planned City park renovations: click here.
What is your park’s rating: read the 2022 City of Cleveland Park Conditions Assessment.
You can find your City Council Member at: bit.ly/ClevelandCityCouncil.
Explore organizations in Cleveland that work in parks and greenspace by clicking here.
City Parks Alliance’s Equitable Funding Hub provides an overview of local park funding.
Your Community Development Corporation (CDC) can help connect you to neighborhood resources and opportunities
General Obligation Bonds 101, click here.
Helpful Contacts:
Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects: mocap@clevelandohio.gov
Jay Rauschenbach, Planning Manager for Parks and Recreation, Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects: jrauschenbach@clevelandohio.gov
Your neighborhood planner assigned by the city, find their email here
